TALKS CONTINUED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24535, 18 March 1943, Page 4

TALKS CONTINUED

ALLIED MINISTERS MR. EDEN IN AMERICA MEETING M. LITVINOV RUSSIAN RELATIONS By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright ;(Ilecd. 7.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 17 The British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, yesterday had two more meetings with the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull. He also saw the UnderSecretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, and had lunch with the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Henry Morgenthau. During the morning he also hacl a talk with the New Zealand Minister to Washington, the Hon. Walter Nash. Mr. Eden indicated to newspaper reporters that he would have got through the preliminary stage of his conferences this week. He made no statement, however, about the subjects of his talks. Mr. Eden is to meet the Soviet Ambassador to Washington. M. Litvinov, to-day. The Washington correspondent ot the New York Times says Mr. Eden's scheduled conference with M. Litvinov is presumably to provide an opportunity to describe his activities and impressions since his arrival to prevent any uncertainties arising in the minds of the Russians concerning the objects of his mission. It is realised in Washington from statements made in London on the eve of Mr. Eden's departure that Britain is definitely aligned to Russia in European affairs, and is determined to abide by the spirit as well as the vletter of the 20-year treaty of alliance. The statements have given _ rise to coniecture in diplomatic circles in \\ asnington that one of the primary purposes of Mr. Eden's visit was to explain this policy carefully to American officials, and furthermore, to encourage a spirit of American acquiescence to it lhe Kus- j sians are' reported to be wholeheartedly in favour of this. _ . Mr. Eden has been invited to address the Canadian House of Commons after his Washington conferences. RECLAIMING RUBBER EXPERT FOR DOMINION ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA <Recd. 1.45 a.m.) SYDNEY. March 17 Synthetic rubber is here to stay, and all scrap rubber will still be reclaimed after the war, in the opinion of a Canadian rubber chemist, Mr. W. a. Bremner, who is in Sydney on his way to advise the New Zealand Government on the manufacture of synthetic rubber and the reclamation of scrap. DEADLOCK SOLVED AUSTRALIAN AGREEMENT CANBERRA. March 16 The deadlock between the House of Representatives and the Senate over the Income Tax Rates Bill, which threatened an election, was solved at a conference of representatives ot both Houses. . It was agreed that the Government should withdraw from the Income Tax Rates Bill the link with the National Welfare Bill to which the Senate objected on the grounds that it was not constitutional and showed political trickery." The Senate and the House of Representatives have agreed that, immediately after the passage of the Income Tax Rates Bill, the National Welfare Bill will ho considered and completed by Thursday. Political commentators are unanimous in the opinion that the Present settlement does not end the possibility of a further crisis during the present session of Parliament. In spite of the settlement there are prospects of another serious clash between the two Houses of Parliament on a likely Senate Opposition amendment to the National Welfare Fund Bill. The Senate Opposition has given no undertaking to pass the Welfare Fund Bill, either with or without amendment. Although the Income Tax Rates Bill has passed all stages in both Houses it does not become law until it is proclaimed. Ministerial quarters say that Australia's lower income group has been taxed only because the Government intended giving them worthwhile social services. If the Senate refused to grant these social services the Government might refuse to tax low incomes. An alternative to this would be to dissolve the House of Representatives and have an election on the issue of the National Welfare Fund. AUSTRALIAN MANPOWER EXTENT OF WAR EFFORT SYDNEY, March 17 Nearly 60 per cent of all the men in Australia between the ages of 16 and 65 years are in the fighting forces or directly engaged on war work, according to a statement made by the Minister of Supply. Mr. J. A. Beaslev. By the end of June, Australia will have spent £1,000,000.000 on the war. Out of Australia's total male population of 2,500,000, 1,500.000 (three cut of every five) are in the fighting services or on war production. Of 700,000 factory workers, 500,000, 72 per cent, are producing arms and war equipment. Of the total working population of 6,000,000, nearly 3,500,000, 68 per cent, are fighting, producing war supplies, or engaged full-time in other essential industries. Since the war began the number of in warfactories has increased from 13,000 to 518,000. To-day Australia has twice as many men under arms as fought for lier in the last war "To the end of December, 1912," said Mr. Beaslev, "our total casualties were 52,148, made up of 6826 killed, 12,371 wounded. 23.892 missing, and 9059 prisoners of war."

HEALTH INSURANCE OTTAWA. March 10 The Minister of Pensions, Mr. I. A. Mackenzie, submitted a draft health insurance bill to a special committee of the Canadian House of Commons, under which the Dominion Government will make financial grants while the provincial Governments will administer proposed schemes broadly embracing the entire population but permitting the provinces to limit benefits on an income basis. Each single adult depending on income levels will be required to pay 26 dollars per annum with a maximum payment of 3.7 per cent of income. Thus, a married man with an income of 1400 dollars per annum will pay the full 52 dollars. Contributions are expected to total 125,000,000 dollars, the Government's share being nearly 131,436,000 dollars. A complete dental service cannot be provided immediately because not enough dentists are available. SPANISH PRECAUTION (Eecil. 12.30 a.m.) MADRID. March 17 General Franco is making all persons instigating. supporting or favouring armed revolt against the Government or Government institutions subject to military trial with the death penalty. This also applies to rumovir- . * mongers and those possessing firearms ®}tliout a licence.